As widespread forest fires rage across Indonesia, the seasonal haze has returned to neighboring Southeast Asian nations, sparking urgent public health concerns. Compounded by the ongoing eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, severe smog now envelops the region.

Even as the fires are being put down, thick smoke has spread to Indonesia’s Kalimantan island along “an intensifying El Niño weather pattern” with the dry season only fueling the flames, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The Ministry of Forestry stated on Sept. 14 that the most recent data shows a sharp drop in “high-confidence” hot spots in Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan.

“The thick smoke we’re currently experiencing, if we look in the direction the wind is blowing, is also smoke carried here from other provinces on the island of Kalimantan that are also on fire,” the head of the Disaster Information Task Force at the West Kalimantan Provincial Disaster Management Agency, simply named Daniel, said. Like other Indonesians, he only uses a single name.

Along with blazes in the forest, the volcano Mount Anak Krakatau erupted on Sept. 4, fuming ash and smoke further into the region. Two more eruptions followed on Sept. 6, the meteorological agency Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) said.

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Other volcanoes have also sent ash plumes into the sky in recent weeks, causing additional airport closures and flight disruptions across the region.

As of Sept. 11, East Kotawaringin, Katingan and Gunung Mas had the worst air quality in Indonesia, recording Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) readings of 750, 629 and 394, respectively, according to the Environment Ministry.

Any readings above 300 are considered hazardous.

Data from the Health Ministry as of Sept. 9 showed 113,336 cases of illness in seven of the regions affected by the fires, including Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Jambi and South Sumatra. This count doubled from 50,891 recorded on Sept. 1. 

26,545 of the cases were said to be of children younger than five; 20 percent of all patients suffering “acute respiratory infection,” Health Ministry spokesperson Widyawati said in a press briefing. 

The ministry scrambled to set up health centers and referral hospitals, deploying thousands of health workers to affected areas. Masks and medical equipment were transferred to combat respiratory cases.

In August alone, the forest fires and subsequent air pollution had claimed the lives of 1,700, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reported.

A man looks at Mount Sinabung spew ash and thick smoke as seen from Karo, North Sumatra province early on September 2, 2026. (Image: Yt HARYONO / AFP via Getty Images)

Smoke across the sea

As of Sept. 14, Singapore’s Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached 108 in the central region, while surrounding areas recorded readings in the 80s and 90s.

Under the PSI, readings of 0 to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, and 201 to 300 very unhealthy. Readings above 300 are classified as hazardous. Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) advises healthy people to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity when PSI levels enter the unhealthy range.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index (API) in Sarawak surged to 521 on Sept. 4, far above the 300 threshold for hazardous air quality and prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in Serian district.

In response, two youths from Sarawak submitted a memorandum to the Consulate-General of Indonesia in the state capital of Kuching, raising their concerns over the haze’s effects on the environment and the dangers of open-burning.

In early September, smoke carried nearly 2,000 kilometers from Indonesia blanketed the Philippine capital, Manila. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in the city, according to a government statement.

“As Sarawakians, we wish to play our roles – not to condemn, but to get a proper response on how the Indonesian government would deal with this issue,” one of the youths, Mohamad Fartul, told The Borneo Post.

“We try to approach this in a peaceful and diplomatic way so that the outcome can be delivered in a good way.”

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Inaction against the fires

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), climate experts are warning of “a meteorological double-whammy” that would make 2026 the hottest year in Southeast Asian history. 

Across Indonesia, roughly 895,657 hectares fell victim to fire from January through August—a 34 percent increase over the burn area recorded during the severe 2019 El Niño cycle.

In addition to extreme weather, forest clearings for agricultural development had only fuelled the flames, draining water from peatlands until completely dry. With both dried vegetation and low rainfall, the fires could spread much faster.

Unfortunately, this transboundary haze has been a common problem for Southeast Asia since the 70s. The worst fires happened in 1997 and 2015.

Ultimately, the blame is pinned on Indonesia for how much of the blazes originate within the country’s own territory. Laws were made by the government to combat forest fires, particularly when President Prabowo in August ordered permits to be revoked for firms linked to the blazes.

Original article